Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-05-13
A DEMOCRATIC PROHIBITIONS,

Senator Reagan, of Texas, Com.s
TIat-Footcd as u Prohibitionist-Heno a
tests Vigorously Against the Demoo.1'@'
Party Being Made Defender of vh;ss
Galveston rTexas) Cor. Chicago Tina.
The prohibition question is ran;d,r
summing front rank among the pol;s a.
issues of Texas. The late Lepi ei..ea
passed au act submitting this ouesfi i,,a, :.
vote of the people in August. The The au To-
Prohibit!onists are organizing for the bat
Governor Gibbs, of Dallas; Hon, W ol.a
Gresham, of Galveston, and politicians, ' y
lesser note, who have constituted tbsu
selves committee representing the d. b.
mocracy of Texas, and are inviting pro nj
nent Democrats to attend h meeting on tb
3oth for the purpose of calling CONVEX
ton in May ito set forth clearly and uni
versally the time honored principles
Democracy in it's opposition to all forms
sumptuary legislation. The Ne,rs nnI
fishes an open letter from Senator John NH
Reagan, replying to the invitation Of N
committee to attend the coming meet,a
Reagan's letter will produce genaiS
sensation i'll the political world of Tenl
He comes out squarely in favor of proS
bition, and deals the opposition some he,
culean blows from a Democratic stapa
point. Two years ago Mr.. Reagan stoo
beside Senator Coke, Gev. Ireland Co1
gresham Mills, and other prominsn
Democrats in strenuously opposing n
growth of the prohibition idea, on Fl
ground that it was sacred principle
the Democracy to oppose sumptuarv lav
of whatever character. Reagan's compls
somersault on this point surprises even
nearest friends. After picturing at lena
the wretchedness and dishoner to he q,
countered in every community resultir
from the use of liquor, the distinguish
Senator says: II must express my reeD
that any effort has been made to MAKE
party question of prohibition, and
pecially do l regret that Democra
should seek to identify that great al
grand historic party with the FORUM
and fate of the whisky shop, drunkar]
and criminals" Viewing the Quest
from Jeffersonian standpoint, the Sc
ator continues: There is broad ditfereu
between laws which interfere with
legitimate trade and with such as won
interfere with the purchase and sale of nd
essary food, drink, and raiment, cali
sumptuary laws, and laws which have
their object the prevention and punis
ment of crime and the preservation of I'd
lie morals and decency. And / think
hardly just to the memory of Mr. Jetfers
to assume that he would not have rec,
nized this distiction. have, during all
years of my manhood, been Democrat
the stralghest sect, and an earnest, entl
siastic disciple Of Thomas Jefferson, VII
regard as the greatest political philo
pher and statesman this country has q
produced. And l would be as fur from
string to see the laws passed which wo
interfere with the freedom of legitim
commerce, or which would undertake
control the purchase, sale,
use OF necessary food, drink,
apparel as any one could be: hut
believe it to be the duty of the peoplea
lawful manner to protect themselves
society against the evils of tue impro
sale and use of Intoxicating liquors.
have not always SO felt, it has been
great degree because l was unwilling
allow any outside issue to subvert Or ca
the overthrow of the Democratic pad
whose principles believe necessary to
preservation Of our free constitutional
tenn of government. We now have
opportunity to promote sobrietv, thrift
happiness without endangering the sued
and perpetuation of the principles OF
Democratic party, and I am in favoI
doing so, and shall at the coming elect
SO vote, not because l believe prohibit
the most efficient remedy which could
adopted for these evils. but because in
Judgment it favors policy which will
much for the improvement of the condi
OF our people pecuniarily, socially, mo
iiy, and toward placing them on his
better plane of civilization"